Computing in Harrowgate Hill Primary School

Our Computing Curriculum is taught from Nursery to Year 6 and children learn numerous skills. These skills are built upon year on year, until the end of year Key Stage Two where children will emerge accomplished in many aspects of computing. Within the computing curriculum children learn through completing projects and have to gain new skills to complete these units of work. Children in all key stages learn computer programming and coding, testing and debugging their apps as they go.

We have a wide variety of resources to support learning both in computing lessons and across the curriculum. Each classroom has 15 laptops or tablets depending on the year group to help with cross curricular learning and developing digital literacy skills throughout their academic progress.

Classrooms are well resourced with interactive whiteboards, laptops, PCs, cameras and visualisers, all of which are used to enhance children’s learning. The school also makes use of shared resources such as iPads and laptops which can be used within lessons or as part of group work.

How does your child uses computing at school?

Computing in schools is taught as a subject in its own right and also supports children’s learning in other subjects, including English and Mathematics. Within computing lessons children learn to use a wide range of computing skills including:

· Word processing to write stories, poems or letters

· Databases to record information, e.g. minibeasts databases

· Spread sheets to create tables, charts and graphs

· Desktop publishing to design posters, leaflets or cards

· Multimedia presentations to present text, pictures and sound

· Drawing programs to create pictures and designs

· Internet and CD-ROMs to find information

· Email to contact children and teachers in another school

· Digital cameras to record what they have done in class or on a visit

· Electronic sensors to record changes in light, sound and temperature

· Computer coding to give instructions and make something happen

· Simulations to explore real and imaginary situations

· Website publishing to present ideas over the Internet.

How can I help my child at home?

Computing is not just about using a computer. It also includes the use of tablets, game consoles , controllable toys, digital cameras and everyday equipment such as a tape recorder or DVD player. Children can be helped to develop their computing skills at home by:

· Writing a letter to a relative

· Sending an email to a friend

· Drawing a picture on screen

· Using the Internet to research a class topic

· Planning a route with a controllable toy

· Using interactive games

· Playing on an educational App on a tablet